Activity Alliance building back better for disabled people in sport

As an individual who is committed to driving out the stubborn inequalities across the sector, I feel privileged to start this new role at Activity Alliance. Through the development of new ideas and collaborating with the right partners it is exciting to be able to make a genuine difference to disabled people’s lives. I also recognise that while COVID-19 has just made our job more challenging, it has also made it more important.

Since 1992, people from across the globe have celebrated the United Nation's International Day for Disabled People on 3 December. It aims to promote awareness and gain support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of disabled people in society. The Day raises awareness about disability issues and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.

Today gives us an opportunity to celebrate disabled people. But this year it is even more crucial to raise the awareness of the mission ahead. The annual celebration adopts a theme every year. In 2020, the theme is - Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World.

This theme is extremely poignant given the state of play in sport and leisure right now. Two weeks ago, we brought leaders and disabled people together to talk about this very issue. Our Chief Executive, Barry Horne, joined Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive and Huw Edwards, Ukactive’s Chief Executive. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, our Honorary President and Ukactive Chair, recorded a special interview and Marc Woods, Chair of CIMSPA, hosted the packed event.

We continue to recognise the difficult decisions ahead across all sectors. It is clear that right now, facilities and providers are just trying to survive for the social good of the people they serve.

But how will disabled people fair in coming weeks, months and years? For these barriers are in the main, not new. They are mostly pre-existing societal barriers from years before. Gathering all the COVID-19 insight on disabled people during this pandemic is helping us to shape future innovative ideas.

We understand that  some disabled people’s fears will play a significant part as and when we return to normal. But it is as this point that we urge the sector to build back better in terms of inclusion. This is an opportunity to tackle the obstacles that have prevented a level playing field. Enabling our sector to demonstrate how and why sport and physical activity remains at the heart of our communities, our drive for improved public health and is often central to self efficacy.

Ensuring we boost everyone’s confidence in sport and physical activity will be at the forefront of our charity’s planning. We cannot return to a sporting world that does not consider all disabled people among their plans. Building back better involves welcoming, inclusive, and accessible places and spaces to be active. It is a future made sustainable by disabled people being part of those solutions, and as the decision-makers.

The pandemic may have stalled the progress, but it made us more determined than ever. Activity Alliance will not rest until we see fairness for disabled people in sport and activity.

But we cannot do it alone. It will take collaborations, like with our membership, new partners and undoubtedly, more funding for this specific remit, to build back better.

I look forward to joining you in growing this powerful movement. 

COVID-19 information and resources

Since March 2020, we have provided a range of resources and responses to support sport and leisure providers through this difficult period.

Visit our COVID-19 page to access our latest guidance on reopening activity and Sport England's FAQs on government guidance and exemptions for disabled people.

Please get in touch with our team if you need any advice or support. Email info@activityalliance.org.uk or call 01509 227750.